Archery is a great sport, but it takes a lot of practice. Even so, nobody wants to have to go to the archery range all the time. Why not build your own archery target stand, so you do not have to? It is not difficult and does not cost a lot of money.
Building your own archery target stand can be done in just about an hour, and you can do it with common items you may have lying around the house. If you have some PVC pipe or some extra wood in your garage, you are already halfway there. All you need are some tools and a few nails and screws.
There are many different kinds of archery target stands on the market, but making your own means, you can make it the way you want it. You can customize it any way you like and change the size as needed. We are going to share a few examples we found with the plans and schematics.
How About A Temporary Solution First?
For a temporary archery target stand, all you need is a cardboard box and some old rags or newspapers to fill it. Pack all the material into the box and seal it.
Draw the rings for a target or print one like this, and attach it to the box. If you’re in a bind, you can even use a paper plate.
This is a very cheap and easy target holder that you can use in a pinch. But of course, you cannot expect it to last. And you cannot leave it outside in the rain or snow.
It will not last more than a few target practices no matter what you do, and since it is so light, you may have to add something heavy like sand or rocks to hold it in place.
If you want a more resilient and permanent archery target stand, you will need to be a bit more creative. It may cost you a bit more than that cardboard box and newspaper, but not much. For these next examples:
- The PVC pipe is inexpensive, about $25 to $40.
- The two by four stand may cost you about $35 to $45.
- The deluxe stand may be a bit over $50.
PVC Pipe Archery Target Stand Example
This is the easiest and least expensive way to build a more permanent archery target stand. All you are going to need is PVC pipes and a few other things. Here is the list of things you will need:
- One 1 ½-inch cleanout (optional)
- Two 90-degree fittings
- Four 45-degree fittings
- Nine sanitary Tees
- Four 90-degree elbows
- Three 10-foot lengths of 1 ½-inch PVC pipe
- PVC pipe cement
- Saw
- Tape measure
Here are the instructions and the cuts you need to make:
- Cut two pieces at 39-inches long for the angled back brace.
- Cut two pieces at 14 ¾-inches long for the back of the target for the sanitary Tee for a cleanout.
- Cut two pieces at 27-inches long for the two bottom sides.
- Cut two pieces at 14-inches long for the lower front legs.
- Cut four pieces at 15-inches long for the upper front legs.
- Cut three pieces at 32-inches long for the three front cross members of the target.
- Assemble as the linked instructions suggest.
Two by Four Target Stand Example
For this target stand, you can use either 1x4s or 2x4s, depending on which you prefer. The 1×4 is best for being portable, and the 2×4 is best for stability. Here are the items you need and instructions for this target stand:
- Four pieces of 1x4s (or 2x4s) at 72 inches
- Four pieces 1x4s (or 2x4s) at 47 inches
- Two pieces 1x4s (or 2x4s) at 48 inches
- 3/8-inch by 1 ½-inch stainless steel bolts (3/8-inch by 3-inch for 2x4s)
- Washers
- Locknuts
- Wood screws
- The linked instructions will provide you with the details you need for assembly.
Deluxe Archery Target Stand Example
This one is a bit more complicated and needs more parts and effort. But if you want a sturdy and professional-looking target stand that will last for years, this is the one. Here are the parts you need from the hardware store:
- Two 10-foot pieces 4×4
- One eight-foot piece 4×4
- Three eight-foot pieces 2×4
- One 96-inch sheet of clear corrugated roof material
- One box of 3 ½-inch wood screws
- One box of roofing screws with neoprene collars
- Six ½-inch lag bolts
- Two eye bolts
- Two “S” hooks
Also, you will need these tools:
- Level
- Screwdriver
- Several drill bits
- Impact driver
- Metal snips
- Circular or miter saw
And here are the instructions:
- Cut the 4x4s into four 5-foot lengths.
- Use the 2x4s to cut two 48-inch pieces and two 41-inch pieces.
- Build the roof frame with the screw gun and screws.
- Cut the roofing material into two 48-inch lengths.
- Lay the roofing on top and fasten it with the screws with the neoprene collars.
- Cut two 41-inch pieces from the 2×4.
- Screw the 2x4s to the 4x4s.
- Cut a 41-inch piece from a 4×4.
- Pre-drill a 3/8-inch hole through the cross member and the top of the vertical supports before using the lag bolts to fasten them.
- Find the center of the horizontal support and pre-drill two 3/8-inch holes before inserting the lag bolts.
- Screw the roof to the 4×4 support.
- Find the center of the cross member and measure the distance to the anchor points.
- Pre-drill the ¼-inch holes before inserting the eye-bolts and “S” hooks for the target to hang on.
How to Make a PVC Bow Stand
How about a bow stand to hold your bow and arrows while you are in the field? Or you can keep it in your house or garage. It does not matter, but it is a good thing to have. Gather these items first:
- Two feet of 2-inch PVC Pipe
- Ten feet of 1 ¼- inch PVC Pipe
- One 2-inch by 3-inch coupling
- One 1 ½- inch by 2-inch coupling
- One 1 ¼- inch by 1 ½- inch coupling
- One four-way cross piece
- Two end caps
- Four corner PVC fittings
- Five Tee PVC fittings
Instructions:
- Cut the 1 ¼-inch pipe into two pieces of 2 ¾-inch long and two pieces of 3 inches long.
- Make two more pieces of 8 inches long.
- Then cut two more pieces 20 inches long.
- Connect the four corner pieces to the 20-inch pieces.
- Use the two 8-inch pieces to connect the two 20-inch PVC pieces, adding the Tee fitting in the middle of the two 8-inch PVC pieces.
- Finish the square by putting the 2 ¾-inch PVC piece into one of the corner pieces and then a Tee fitting.
- Connect the 3-inch PVC piece to one of the Tee fittings, then the other 3-inch PVC piece to that.
- Add another Tee fitting and the other 2 ¾-inch PVC piece to that.
- Cut a 9-inch and 9 ¼-piece from the 1 ¼-inch PVC pipe.
- Put both pieces in the middle of the middle Tee of the square you just made, making a beam that runs through the middle of the square parallel to the 20-inch PVC pieces, and connect them with the last Tee fitting.
- Put the rest of your PVC pipe in the middle Tee fitting and cut it as tall as you want it to be.
- Put the cross pieces at the top of the PVC stand you just made.
- Cut two 8-inch pieces from the 1 ¼-inch pipe and put them horizontally onto the cross fitting with the caps on the ends of them.
- Cut a 3-inch piece of pipe to put on top of the cross fitting.
Add a Cupholder
Do you want a cupholder and arrow holder on your archery stand? These are easy to add with your PVC pipe.
- Put the 1 ½-inch coupling on the short piece of pipe you just put on the top of the cross fitting.
- Add the 2-inch coupling and then the 3-inch coupling. That is the cupholder.
- Cut two 11-inch pieces of 1 ¼-inch pipe and put them into the upright Tee fittings. That’s it. Well, you also need to use some pipe cement to glue it all together.
There you have it! Now you can get busy building that archery target stand.